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Original copy of the Declaration of Independence comes to Downtown Nashville Public Library Oct. 4-6

Posted 10/2/2008

A rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence will be available for public viewing Oct. 4, 5 and 6 in the Nashville Public Library Downtown Branch, located at 615 Church Street. Admission is free.

The document, which is one of 25 surviving copies printed on July 4 and 5, 1776, will be available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4; 2 - 5 p.m. Oct. 5; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6.

Actors portraying historical figures Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams and Abigail Adams will be at the library performing educational skits and interacting with the public who come to view the Declaration of Independence. Visitors will also be able to watch an informative video hosted by actress Reese Witherspoon, a descendant of one of the original signers of the document, explaining the history and contemporary relevance of the Declaration, and a short film produced by Norman Lear and Rob Reiner featuring a powerful theatrical reading of the Declaration of Independence by actors Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Spacey, Michael Douglas, Edward Norton, Winona Ryder and Benicio Del Toro.

In addition, voter registration tables and voting booths will be set up to educate visitors about the importance of voting and voicing their opinions. Everyone will also be offered the opportunity to vote in a straw poll on the presidential election.

The Declaration of Independence's visit to Tennessee is sponsoredby Cricket Communications.

Contacts:
Jeff Bradford/Jason Mackey
615-515-4888
jcb@bradfordgrp.com
jmackey@bradfordgrp.com

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